A distressed dolphin was saved by dedicated rescuers after it stranded four miles from the sea.
The male was spotted stuck in river mud.
Its companion was already dead.
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The pair of dolphins had become lost and disoriented in the intertidal muddy river system and struggled to find their way out.
Medics scrambled to the scene and used an airbed to support the the living dolphin.
It happened at Penpoll near the River Fowey, in Cornwall, on Tuesday, (19 Aug).
British Divers Marine Life Rescue, BDMLR, said it received reports of two stranded common dolphins but one had already died.
Dan Jarvis, welfare and conservation director at BDMLR, said when the dolphin was found it was motionless which caused concern.
He said it would have been some time before the tide came back in.
The dolphin’s breathing rate was within normal parameters and there were no signs of injury or infection, as reported by Need To Know.
The rescuers moved it with the help of locals who lent kayaks and a paddleboard.
“Once we’d recovered it to the shore we were able to continue the first aid and carry out the health assessment on the animal,” Dan said.
“We couldn’t get the engine working on the first boat so we ended up getting towed down by a second boat.
“So we had this strange procession with three of ourselves, medics, on board a boat with a dolphin on top of a paddleboard and an airbed, being towed by another boat, out to the mouth of the river Fowey to open water so we could release it.”
A BDMLR spokesperson added: “The dolphin was released in calm waters offshore and swam away immediately,shortly before a pod of Risso’s dolphins passed through the area.
“Meanwhile the deceased animal was recovered with help from Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Strandings Network for post-mortem by the Cornwall Marine Pathology Team.
“We would like to thank all of the BDMLR team involved in this incident both on scene and on the hotline, as well as local residents Robin, Debbie, Claire and Julie for their great support throughout the incident as well.”
